How things have changed....

[Xrayist]

I have been shooting for over 62 years. I always cleaned my firearms and kept them in as good as condition as possible, but there is wear and tear on any firearm I own. This may be holster wear, a dent/scratch on a stock that happened when hunting, normal blue wear from handling and shooting. I never had a problem with this since guns, to me, are to be enjoyed. Reading several posts on forums has really got me scratching my head on some of the posts. There seems to be a "new" standard about maintaining the condition of a firearm. I just read on another forum where a gent was very upset that there was wear showing on the transfer bar of his new Colt Anaconda; another poster had some very slight muzzle wear on his S&W M29 and he was seeking the best place to get it totally refinished; someone showed how they clean their 1911 after shooting. He used pics to show. He literally took everything off the gun with the exception of the ejector, which is staked, and the plunger tube. He even removed that grip screw bushings. This he stated, was how he cleaned his firearm if he shot 100 rounds or shot a couple of rounds; there are also numerous posts about people wanting to send their revolvers back to the factory since they are not new, but used, since they have burn rings on the front of the cylinder from factory test firing; on that note, people are really upset to see blackened cylinder faces after shooting and say they have to spend a lot of time cleaning the cylinder face only to have it happen again next time they go shooting. I just don't get it. I can't imagine what some of these people are like when they buy a new car and get a rock chip, or some dirt in the engine compartment. Do they remove the engine and completely "sanitize" the engine compartment, or head off to the nearest body and paint shop for a complete repaint? Not trying to be an ass here, but anything will show wear and tear when you use it. All my guns have what I refer to as "character", but that some would refer to as abuse and neglect. Another trend is when someone buys a new production firearm and wonders if they should keep it unfired to protect the value in the future. Mind you, I have seen this with current production Colt, Ruger or S&W firearms. I will borrow these analogies from other posters, but sort of like buying a new car, parking it in the garage, because it may be worth more in the future if you want to sell it; or buying a complete set of Snap On tools, but not using them because they might get a scratch. On that note though, I have a NIB, unfired outside of factory, Jennings 22 pistol, factory satin nickel, extra magazine, with the box and all the papers......so if anyone is interested in this discontinued pistol, let me know and I will make you a great deal...has to be worth at least 10-50 times its original value due to condition..... Again, it is probably just me, but I enjoy using my guns, shooting them, and all the blemishes that they have, with some being carried for over 50 years. Just wondering if I am really off base here.

 

[Ale-8(1)]

I expect a new gun to look like a new gun. It will get shot and it will get cleaned. It will acquire the usual small mars that honest use produce.

What others expect and accept are up to them, and I really don't care. I'll buy a nice used gun if it appeals to me and my own standards.

To each his/her own. JMHO

 

[Dan in MI]

I'm a wierdo. Guns are tools. I could easily be accused of abuse by some As with most things I am far more interested in reliability over beauty.

 

[Armybrat]

Well yes, things do change over the years….

 

[nvbirdman]

When I looked in the mirror this morning I noticed a grey hair on my head. I shaved all the hair off my head and then sat down at my computer and read your post. I think I understand what you're saying.

 

[375hh1973]

I don't abuse them, but I use them and I don't obsess over them. Shot 50 300gr 44 mag thru my 5" 629 the other day. Wiped it down and reloaded the cylinder with .44 specials, makes a helluva nightstand gun. Maybe someday I will tear it apart and give it a deep cleaning. Or not.

 

[blume357]

I agree with the OP and some of the replies ... I resemble many of my firearms.... old and well worn. I've finally learned that I ain't gonna stay pretty forever and in fact those days are well past and no matter what refinishing I pay for I still ain't gonna past the test of being a youth.

 

[Goldstar225]

My guns show honest wear but no signs of abuse. Me on the other hand.....

 

[Randyzzz]

I'm probably the most particular person I know- I keep my stuff (guns, tools, cars, shop, etc…) as clean as is possible within practical limitations. Does my shop get messy? Do my guns get dirty? Sure, but they get cleaned as soon as possible.

Personally I'd rather see someone obsess over keeping something clean that the opposite. Iv'e bought used guns that look like they have never been cleaned. And being in the auto industry I am amazed at how some people treat their cars like rolling trash dumpsters, and thinks that a warranty means "no maintenance needed".

Back to the OP comments - anyone who removes the grip screw bushings every time they clean their 1911 is asking for an expensive lesson…

 

[PRichardson87]

My biggest issue is the inattention to quality control with a lot of today's firearms manufactures. With the cost of new guns today we just don't get our moneys worth as much as we used to. For example someone on here showed an SP101 with ridiculous tooling marks and burs. I would not have excepted that new. I have guns that I collect that are safe queens, I have guns that I use in the woods that get well taken care of, and I have guns that I use at the range/train with that get abused but properly serviced afterwards. To each their own.